Jesus Statue Return

MONROE, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio church says a giant Jesus statue is on schedule to be installed next month, replacing one that was destroyed in a lightning fire.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports the new Jesus statue will be installed outside the Solid Rock Church in Monroe along Interstate 75. The installation was originally scheduled for July.

The first statue was destroyed more than two years ago after it was hit by lightning. It depicted a waist-up Jesus with arms uplifted, and had the nickname "Touchdown Jesus," or "Big Butter Jesus" for its creamy color.

The new concrete-looking statue, a full-bodied Jesus with arms reaching out, is being built at a factory near Dayton. The newspaper reports one sculptor says it's already received the nickname, "Hug Me Jesus."